‘Modi foreign policy frustrated’: Congress attacks centrists over US-Iran talks with ‘dalal’ remarks

New Delhi: Congress on Monday lashed out at the BJP-led central government for holding Pakistan-US-Iran talks, calling it a “major setback for Modi’s foreign policy”. Congress Secretary-General Jairam Ramesh cited Pakistan Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s “dalal (broker or middleman)” remarks that Pakistan will host the second round of US-Iran talks on Tuesday.“This is a huge setback for Mr Modi’s foreign policy. India needs to overhaul its diplomatic engagement strategy and tactics and Mr Modi simply cannot do this,” he said in a post on X.“As the erudite and always well-groomed foreign minister describes it, the ‘Dalla’ country is reportedly hosting the second round of US-Iran peace talks today. After the first round of talks ended on April 12, Pakistan borrowed $6 billion from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to repay a $3.5 billion loan it borrowed from the UAE and repaid $1.43 billion in Eurobonds,” he added.Highlighting the importance of Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the current situation, Ramesh said, “Prime Minister Modi’s regional and global engagement and rhetoric management have failed to isolate Pakistan”.“Pakistan’s economy is clearly in trouble and depends on the generosity of friendly countries. But after harboring Osama bin Laden and other terrorists, bombing drug rehabilitation centers in Afghanistan and most recently orchestrating the Pahalgam terror attack a year ago, Pakistan is currently playing a key diplomatic role,” he said.He added: “It is clear that Prime Minister Modi’s regional and global engagement and the substance and style of narrative management have failed to isolate Pakistan, which has acquired an entirely new brand – not unlike what Dr Manmohan Singh achieved after the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.”Talking about US President Donald Trump’s fondness for Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, the Congress leader said: “Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose provocative and inflammatory remarks provided oxygen to the Pahalgam terror attack, has become President Trump’s favorite and this is a particularly serious setback for India. It is obvious that the Field Marshal and his colleagues seem to have managed Trump’s ecosystem of family and associates better than India.“Munir spoke to Trump about the upcoming talks and said the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was an “obstacle” to the talks. Iran said it would not participate in the talks.Reuters quoted Pakistani security sources as saying Trump said he would “consider” Munir’s suggestion.